Gluten-Free Goodies ~

It's a rainy morning...the flowers are loving this weather and green is beginning to pop up everywhere...so as I'm nestled here working away at my desk, sipping my favorite Parisian tea, Mariage Freres I got to thinking about all of the delicious, lovely and inspirational products and goodies I've seen this week via some of my favorite bloggers, businesses and gourmet foodies...so I thought I'd share...oh, and the one little Parisian splurge was totally for my iPhone, not for me!


I picked up this little goody at the Apple store - the moment my eyes connected with zzzz Tour Eiffel it was mine...I mean, my iPhones'...silly. This cover, made by Venom in the UK, has a great graphic and super smooth surface that fits the phone perfectly, and will aid in the conjuring up of lovely memories from past visit(s) to Paris. Just looking at this photo I can feel and smell the Parisian air, hear the sounds of cars, sirens and boat horns tooting down the Seine. It makes me happy.

A former boss and friend of mine who is also a Celiac, recently posted on Facebook that she was reading Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis, so I had to download it and start reading. I'd heard of this book a while ago but my friend's recommendation, stemming from the horrors and truths behind what wheat is really like today in America, was too intriguing to pass by. I'm half way through and am in utter amazement of what an abomination our United States food industry really has become. I've been reading and researching more and more, digging in and learning about the hostile takeover of the worlds seeds by certain unnamed food giants ruining the health of millions. There are some terrific documentaries out there folks - just do a little searching and you'll easily find the likes of Food Inc., Forks Over Knives, Food Matters, King Corn, etc. All can be found on Netflix. I'll stop here...but I must tell you that I've developed very strong opinions about our food sources and eating organically...and though I used to question Vegans, I'm in their corner more than ever as it pertains to most foods. It would take a lot for me to completely give up fresh fish and chicken...and eggs! So I do my very best to research where my food comes from and try to buy organic products.

If you enjoy on-line shopping for food and gluten-free treats then you'll love these suggestions. I've become a huge fan of FOOD52 and all of their wonderful recipes and product mentions. Today's news is no exception as Amanda and Merrill boast about artisanal olive oil and tea. The featured olive oil, California Olive Ranch, is already a fav of mine. I LOVE their Arbequina oil as it's so lively and fruity.


If you're in the mood for some fun baking with the kids or a treat for yourself, Living Without Magazine just posted a delicious looking GF, dairy-free S'mores Bar recipe that sounds so yummy. A perfect treat to make this weekend and you don't even need a campfire!

And last but certainly not least...Market Hall Foods is talking all about a company and their products from Northern California (my homeland) that's really great...the Mendocino Sea Salt & Seasoning Company. They offer three salts; Artisan, a flaky sea salt comes from the clear, cold waters off the Mendocino Coast, Nori, with local, edible seaweed, and Seasoning "Sand," a blend with garlic, onion, brown sugar and pepper. I want to try all three.

Hope these fun finds and goodies bring a smile to your face and a fun package to your door. I'd love to hear about your favorite gluten-free goodies and why you love them...always looking for reader input and ideas we can post/share.

Cheers!

Tea for Two ~

I am a true lover of teas.

My favorite quote that graces the bottom of my email signature reads ~
"There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be diminished by a nice cup of tea."~Bernard Paul Heroux(1900's Basque philosopher)

It's not just because he was Basque like I am...it's just simply the truth. I've tested out his quote theory for years and found over and over again that a lovely, simple cup of one's favorite hot tea can truly relieve most troubles and restore a sense of peace and warmth to the soul. Drinking tea is a cherished and ancient ritual that dates back to the earliest of civilizations and cultures, as well as being used for its healing powers. The true country of tea's origin is China, and its history and impact on the world is truly fascinating.

As we've established...tea has history on its side, as well as a sense of elegance that seems to accompany each leaf, each pot, each sip. Black tea, Green, White, Oolong...mmmmmm

The flip side of honoring the true history and beauty of tea is found in a quote I once heard from a very strange fellow who referred to tea in this manor..."hot tea is basically the equivalent to drinking...(okay wait for it)...weed water!" At the pronouncement of this statement, monarchies all over the world crumbled and deceased royalty were literally rolling over in their graves.


Have you ever wondered how "afternoon tea" came to be? I found this interesting article about the conception of this event...The English ceremony of Afternoon Tea dates back to the 1840s but rather than being 'invented', it actually evolved out of the rituals and routines that had surrounded tea drinking in Britain before that time...


A fun piece of French tea history comes from my most beloved tea company, Mariage Freres, goes like so...Around 1660, on behalf of King Louis XIV and the French East India Company, the ancestors of the Mariage brothers sailed to distant lands on a quest for new exotic flavours of tea. Tea soon became a strong family passion maintained over the centuries in a tradition of excellence in taste and creativity, giving birth of the French Art of Tea.

I could go on and on about this topic - there are thousands of varieties from hundreds of countries around the world, all boasting their own unique flavors and qualities, depending upon their origin. Personally, whenever I travel to another country I always try a foreign tea and if I enjoy it, bring some home! It's a true treat and lovely way to later conjure up the memory of a hot cup of tea you drank or pot you shared while sitting along the Seine or the Yangtze rivers.

Here are a few of my most favorite teas:

- Mariage Freres - A "must visit" to their gorgeous shop when in Paris!

- The Hediard - Another lovely spot in Paris and be sure to have lunch there

- Harmony Tea - Delightful and the wrapped bags come in reusable tins

- Tazo Tea - Fun website that reads your tea leaves and great teas in so many flavors

- Davidson's Tea - A northern Nevada local favorite offering organic teas

- Mighty Leaf Teas - Some of my favorites and I love their loose leaf bags and silk tea pouches

- Yogi Tea - Offering detox, and more medicinal teas that heal the body

- The Tao of Tea - I dig their flowery herbal blends

- Harney & Sons Fine Teas - They make a delicious raspberry herbal ice brew

- Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - Their Ceylon teas are simply delicious

As I wrap up this post while sipping my favorite Tazo lemon green tea with honey and warming by the fire (it's been snowing here for 24 hours straight!)I am reminded of what simple pleasures come from a delicious cup of tea and what it can do for my spirit and mood. There's a comfort that your favorite cup of tea provides, not to mention its nourishing and healthy qualities.

I'm not sure what flavor or brand of tea tomorrow will bring to my lips, but I look forward to the surprise...right now, I'm leaning towards a delicious Early Grey partnered with warm almond milk and my favorite honey from Marshall's Farm.

What are your favorite (gluten-free) teas that you would love to share?

Sweet tea to you~